Day description
♦ Day 1: Arrival Merauke - Tour around town
Arrival in Merauke and transfer to your hotel. We will stay in the best hotel available in town. After a rest, we will go on a tour to the surroundings of Merauke. The town was a militair base established by the Dutch in 1902 and lies on the southern coast of Papua. We will visit the termit mounds close to Wasur national park. Here we will see giant termite mounds and a beautiful flora and fauna. Wasur National Park is home to 358 bird species of which 80 species are endemic to the island.
Accommodation: Swiss Bel Merauke
♦ Day 2: Flight to Kepi - continue to Korowai settlements (B.L.D.)
In the morning we leave to the airport and continue by small airplane to Kepi. You are allowed to bring 10 Kilo check-in luggage. After an hour flight, we can see the small town of Kepi below us, surrounded by forest wetland. In Kepi we will buy our last food supplies for our adventure into the Korowai territories. We will use a small speedboat that is flexible and light enough to manoeuvre through the challenging swamp and rivers. The swamp is changing continuously which makes it sometimes hard to get through. In some cases the speedboat needs to be pushed manually. The first part of the trip, the sceneries are absolutely breathtaking. We will pass many local villagers, young and old standing and balancing on their canoes to catch fish. Many huts that we see along the river, are built from natural materials and there is no electricity. The thick bushes in the swamps hide giant crocodiles that flee away because of our engine noise. So it may be hard to see them, but they are certainly out there. We will reach Senggo, a bigger town and you can see how the sceneries change along the way from wide views to dense forests. In Senggo we can have a short break and buy refreshing beverages before we continue higher up to the river towards the isolated Korowai. Depending on the water level in the river, we will sleep somewhere in a local house in a village beside the river. The trip of today will be tired and long and you will spend most of your time in the speedboat.
Accommodation: Local House
♦ Day 3: Tree House / Korowai tribal communities (B.L.D.)
Today wil will trek to one of the Korowai villages from one family group. This takes 2 - 4 hours, depending on which village we are able to visit. The trek is through wetland forests and swampy terrains. We advice to wear high rubber boots with adjustable closure at the top-line to keep debris out. We balance on tree trunks and when it has rained a lot, the mud and water at some parts can come knee high, or higher. We will stay 2 nights in a Korowai village where we can see a high tree house. In the past these tree houses were used to spy on enemies and to keep woman and children safe from outside attacks. Now these super high houses are mainly used for socialising and for some quite time away from family issues, according to the Korowai man.
Today we will observe the local life style of the Korowai Tribe in their village. The families live in high wooden houses of approx 8 meters high. We always ask for permission before we enter a village, because the Korowai tribes mainly live with their own family group.
We strongly advice to bring you own mosquito nett that you can close from the bottom or a tent to keep unwanted mosquitos and insects out. You can set up the tent inside the hut/bivouac. Also bring your air mattress because the ground is hard.
Accommodation: Hut in Korowai settlement
♦ Day 4: Korowai Tribes and Daily Activities (B.L.D.)
Today we will join the Korowai tribe to their Sago forest. We will see the traditional preparation of the Sago palm processing. A full day to learn, join and observe these fascinating peoples. If the tree house is in good condition, the head of the village will invite you for some socialising time high in the tree house. But be very careful where you step. There are no safety equipments.
Accommodation: Hut in Korowai settlement
♦ Day 5: Back to Kepi (B.L.D.)
Today we will head back the same way to Kepi. A long journey with a lot of sitting time. We will overnight in the best accommodation available in Kepi, a standard hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Avista - Best Room
♦ Day 6: Flight to Merauke (B.)
You will say goodbye to your guide in Kepi. With a small aircraft you will fly back to Merauke. Driver (non- english) will pick you up from the airport and the rest of they day you have time for rest and if you wish the driver can take you to some sight seeings in town. Try one of the best coffee in town, visit a local market or a city park. You will stay in a good western hotel with good facilities. Note: no guide included, driver only speaks Indonesian.
Accommodation: Swiss Bel Hotel - Superior Room
♦ Day 7: Transfer to Airport (B.)
